Dean Road Bridge

road is a lightly traveled township road that crosses the river in a heavily wooded and largely un- bridge is built up approximately to the height of the shale cliff on the other side of the river with a valley, where the road ascends a long, steep snake-like course up the valley wall. The Vermilion The bridge structure itself is a box-shaped truss, known as a double intersection Pratt truss. It that is 15.4 feet wide.The maximum height of the bridge is 15.8 feet, and the roadway of the bridge to be level from the top of the shale cliff. The bridge has been maintained over the years, but nevertheless is in a somewhat deteriorated condi- tion, with signs of rust present.

Recent improvements to the bridge include the replacement of two sections of roadway at the ends of the bridge and replacement of some road supports. The abütments CONDITION MOVEDDATE River in this area is heavily wooded and largely unspoiled by man-made intrusions, making the area DETERIORATED flooring, but the rest of the structure is metal, probably rolled iron. The bridge is ten bays long, hav- UNALTERED EXCELLENT have also undergone strengthening with steel plates.However , it is apparent that there are missing slope abruptly terminates in a fity-foot shale cliff, with the river immediately below. The south ward.

This enabled a northern bridge abutment of a lesser height to be built than if the bridge were ing eight cross beams supporting the roadway, which in turn are supported by the truss structure. flood plain and is only a few feet higher than the river itself. As a result, the north abutment of the elements of the structure and more work will be necessary to completely stabilize the bridge, which is quite scenic. spoiled area.

This bridge is an excellent example of turn of the century metal truss bridges that were constructed throughout this region.Increased traffic loads and deterioration have taken their toll on these bridges clined roadway isa unique feature that makes this bridge of special interest. Its attractive, largely The Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon, Ohio, wasa leading producer of bridges in Ohio and structures that could be easily assembled. These bridges are elegant in that they clearly express their structure, but manage to do so in a man- The Dean Road Bridge still serves the purpose for which it was built, to connect two ends of this light ART EDUCATION distinction.

PERIOD CONSERVATION THEATER in bridge technology by providing local governments with relatively inexpensive, reliable, sturdy ARCHITECTURE BUILDER/ARCHITECT TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE SIGNIFICANCE SCULPTURE of truss bridges of this type by the Massillon Bridge Company and others represented a breakthrough LITERATURE at the factory and then brought out to the site where they were quickly assembled. The development MILITARY ner that creates much visual interest. They represent a high level of craftsmanship and engineering. closed. Thus, preservation of this bridge is important not only from an historic and aesthetic standpoint, in Lorain County. However, this bridge is more than just another example of a truss bridge.

Its in- SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT Massillon Bridge Company XINDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT natural setting, plus its high degree of craftsmanship and ornamentation give this bridge added _PREHISTORIC traveled townshiproad.lt is a convenience to have this structure remain open, but the tremendous re- -1400-1499 -COMMUNICATIONS but froma functional standpoint as well. placement cost that a new bridge would entail could not be justified for this road and it would have to be -1500-1599 -1600-1699 - ECONOMICS -1700-1799 _RELIGION _SCIENCE -COMMERCE -1900- to the point where few exist today.